Everything you need to know about Heated Socks and Heated Insoles
If you have had to call it a day because your feet are cold, you don’t have to live like this. A pow day should only be shortened by snow conditions, not toe conditions.
It’s time to add heated products to your gear bag.
It is an investment, but it’s one you will never look back and say “well that wasn’t worth it.”
Heated socks and insoles are a true game changer. You have full control of the level of heat that will wrap your little ice cube toes in a pleasant warmth, all controllable from your phone.
So what are your options for heated footwear? We have two that we swear by.
The first are Heated Socks. These are standard, lightly cushioned ski socks with a heat element stitched directly into the sock. They are powered by a battery pack that snaps into the top of the sock. And don’t worry - it’s above the boot line and will not impact your skiing and riding.
The second are Heated Insoles. They are really more like stickers that stick directly to your existing footbeds sandwiching the heating element between the footbed and the protective top sheet. A wire runs outside the liner of your ski boot and up to a batter pack that attaches to the boot itself.
Both options are controlled by an app on your phone or manually from the battery pack. The lower the heat level, the longer they last.
So which is the best option for you? We’ve tested them both so you only have to make this investment once.
Heated Socks: Pros and Cons
PROS:
✅ Versatility - Heated socks are independent of your ski or snowboard boots. You can wear these at a hockey game, walking the dog, a winter hike, or any other of the endless times when you’re feet have been freezing.
✅ Washable - The socks can be washed and worn over and over. We recommend air drying them but the heat elements are safe for your washing machine. Just make sure you’ve removed the batteries. (Always check the care tags on your products before washing)
✅ Battery Ease - The batteries used on heated socks use a simple snap closure to attach the socks and are incredibly easy to attach and remove.
✅ Multiples - You can purchase multiple pairs of socks for long trips, allowing for washing between uses.
✅ No installation Needed - Charge your batteries, download the app if you want, and put on your socks- you’re good to go. No trimming, cutting or ski tech needed.
CONS:
❌ Must use one type of sock - If you are a wool loyalist, have a favorite brand of sock, or are extremely particular about your cushion level, you loose your options in socks. The heat element is built into the socks and therefore you must purchase the style compatible with the brand/battery you’ve chosen.
❌ You could lose em’ - Socks do tend to go missing. If you misplace your sock, battery, charge chords, leave them behind at the condo, or just forget to pack them - you’re out of luck.
❌ Washable - While it’s nice you can wash them, it also means you do…have to wash them.
❌ Feel - Most people do not notice the heat element in the sock, however some have mentioned they do notice the material and spots where the heat and wires run through the the sock. This is not a deal breaker for most, but worth mentioning.
Heated Insoles: Pros and Cons
PROS:
✅ Wear whatever sock you want - If you are that person that’s very particular about the cushion level, material, or even style of your ski socks, insoles will be your friends.
✅ Lives on your boots - Once you trim and install the insoles, they live in your boots. You will need to charge your batteries, but they are easy to unclip from the heat system and you never need to mess with the footbed.
✅ Can feel the heat, can’t feel the device - The heat element is extremely thin and is nearly undetectable under the top sheet and your ski sock. On ski boots, the wire runs outside the liner, inside the boot shell. Even the Princess and the Pea wouldn’t feel it.
CONS:
❌ Not Versatile - Insoles are trimmed to fit the exact footbed inside your ski boot. If you use custom footbeds that you plan to transfer from Ski Boot to Ski Boot, you’re golden. However, if you have boots you know you are replacing in the near future, your current footbeds are not likely to fit your new ski boots. Therefore, the heated insole would also not be able to transfer.
❌ Require Installation - Insoles are trimmed to you footbed and require a cut on the heel of the the liner of your ski boot to run the wire. You can do this yourself or have a Bootfitter or Ski Tech install if for your, but it takes a little time to set up.
❌ Not compatible with all Snowboard Boots - You can stick the insole to a snowboard footbed easy enough but since snowboard boots do not have liners inside shells, the wires need to run on the inside of the boot and may irritate some riders. Depending on your boot model, there may not be a place to clip the battery to the boot without being in the way of your fit system.
Who should get socks? If you want to move them from boot to boot and use them outside of skiing, want to open the box and get out there, or if you are a snowboarder, you will probably be happiest with Heated Socks
Who should get insoles? If you want to set it and forget it, wear your favorite socks, or have custom footbeds, Heated Insoles will be your new favorite gear.
Battery Choices
Both Heated Socks and Insoles generally come with some options in batteries. The higher the battery, the longer the heat will last. You can control the heat level from the battery itself or from your phone. If you have a lower battery and know you want to have heat from bell to bell- you can set it on a lower setting and only turn it up when really needed, or just buy the bigger battery.
If you have a multi day trip where charging is unlikely, or you are doing a hut trip or overnight winter camping, a bigger battery will be a must.
PRO TIP: You can shut the batteries off when not in use or turn them on only after you start to get chilly. I don’t kick mine on until I start to feel my toes get too cold.
For more info, the video below shows the difference between the two.